Brookdale West St. Paul Memory Care

Pros

• Many residents and their families appreciate the small, home-like environment of Brookdale memory care, which fosters a sense of community and belonging.
• Staff members are often described as friendly, loving, and attentive, making a positive impact on the residents' daily lives.
• The facility offers daily activities that encourage resident participation, contributing to their overall well-being.
• Families have noted improvements in residents’ health and attitudes after moving to Brookdale memory care.
• The food served is valued for its quality, with chefs taking the time to interact with residents about their meal preferences.
• Residents enjoy a cozy atmosphere with delightful fellow residents who contribute to a supportive environment.
• Many caregivers demonstrate exceptional commitment to providing high-quality care to their residents.

Cons

• The facility is severely understaffed, leading to inadequate care for residents.
• Residents experience significant weight loss and lack of proper meal supervision without family being informed.
• There is a high turnover rate among staff, resulting in inconsistent care and training.
• Management does not engage with residents or address their concerns effectively.
• Meals are often poorly prepared, with limited options available for residents.
• Family members report that incident reports regarding resident falls or issues are not provided upon request.
• The community lacks sufficient medical assistance for residents’ needs, making it unsuitable for those requiring higher levels of care.
• Communication from management is poor, leaving families in the dark about their loved ones' well-being.
• Direct care staff are overworked and unable to provide adequate attention to individual residents due to heavy workloads.
• Complaints have been filed against the facility regarding mistreatment of residents by some staff members.

Review

The reviews for various Brookdale memory care facilities present a mixed bag of experiences, revealing significant differences among residents' care quality and staff performance. On one hand, there are families who commend the smaller community atmosphere, which many have described as more home-like compared to larger institutions. This intimate setting seems to facilitate closer relationships between staff and residents, allowing caregivers to provide personalized attention and care. Residents often express satisfaction with the daily activities provided by the community, which are designed to keep individuals engaged and encourage social interactions among them.

However, these positive aspects are counterbalanced by numerous alarming issues highlighted across several reviews. Concerns about insufficient staffing levels recur frequently, with reports indicating that some facilities operate with only two caregivers for 15-20 residents at times. This under-staffing can lead to lapses in resident care, as noted by families observing their loved ones struggling during meal times or failing to receive necessary assistance promptly. Instances of residents experiencing weight loss and health declines while under care raise serious concerns about oversight and nutritional support within these facilities.

Moreover, some reviewers expressed dissatisfaction with management's engagement with both residents and family members. Many noted poor communication regarding incidents involving their loved ones, such as not being informed about pertinent health changes or missing paperwork when attempting transfers to other facilities. Families voiced frustration over management's perceived lack of responsibility for the ongoing issues raised by both residents and staff members alike. High turnover rates in staff positions further exacerbate these problems, resulting in inconsistent care that may leave vulnerable residents feeling neglected or poorly attended to.

Food service is another critical area of concern documented in these reviews. While some families appreciate the effort taken by chefs to consult with residents about meal preferences, others lament that meals consist mainly of microwaved options with limited variety—often just one choice per meal—and less nutritious offerings like excessive pork dishes without added seasoning or flavorings. Reviews indicate that inadequate dietary options can contribute negatively to the overall well-being of the residents.

Despite considerable criticism regarding training inadequacies among certain staff members and high turnover rates leading to unreliable caregiving experiences, some reviewers note exceptional caregivers who go above and beyond in providing loving support for their charges. Families recount instances where dedicated staff members took an active interest in engaging with their loved ones on an emotional level or ensuring they received tailored assistance based on individual needs after medical adjustments were made.

In summary, Brookdale memory care facilities demonstrate potential through their smaller community setups that foster engaging environments for seniors but are marred by consistent issues related to staffing shortages, management inefficacies, mealtime deficiencies, and general inconsistency in caregiving standards. Care-seekers must weigh these factors carefully before placing their loved ones in any Brookdale facility; while many individuals have experienced positive outcomes from living environments enriched through caring interactions among both peers and employees alike—safety concerns over neglect remain paramount. For families looking into such services for their loved ones suffering from dementia or other memory-related challenges, it’s crucial to perform thorough research on specific facilities’ practices alongside seeking real-time feedback from current families residing within those communities.

This area of West Saint Paul, Minnesota offers a variety of amenities that may be appealing to seniors looking for a comfortable and convenient place to live. With several family clinics, pharmacies, and hospitals nearby, residents have easy access to medical care. Additionally, there are numerous restaurants and cafes for dining out or grabbing a quick bite to eat. The neighborhood also features several parks and a dog park for outdoor recreation opportunities. For entertainment, there is a movie theater within a short distance as well as transportation options for exploring the wider area. Places of worship are available for spiritual fulfillment. Overall, this area provides a diverse range of services and facilities that can cater to the needs and preferences of seniors looking for a vibrant community in which to reside.

Physicians

• Entira Family Clinics-West St Paul (0.4 miles)
• Dakota Medical Solutions (1.2 miles)
• West Side Community Health Services (1.9 miles)
• Soundpoint Audiology (3.3 miles)
• Entira Family Clinics - Inver Grove Heights (3.6 miles)
• Twin Cities Orthopedics Eagan - Viking Lakes (3.7 miles)
• James Winsor DR (4.1 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.8 miles)
• Walgreens (1.4 miles)
• Walgreens (2.9 miles)
• Walgreens (3 miles)
• Walgreens (3.9 miles)
• Prime Therapeutics (3.9 miles)
• Walgreens (4.1 miles)

Restaurants

• Burger Time (1 miles)
• Boulevard Bar & Grille (1.2 miles)
• White Castle (1.4 miles)
• McDonald's (3 miles)
• Citizen Supper Club (3.1 miles)
• Pool and Yacht Club (3.1 miles)
• Cossetta's Italian Market & Pizzeria (3.3 miles)

Parks

• Roosevelt Field (2.1 miles)
• Heritage Village Park (3.8 miles)
• Heritage Village Off Leash Dog Park (4.1 miles)
• Burr Oaks Park (5.1 miles)
• Sleepy Hollow Park (5.3 miles)
• Hidden Falls Park (5.7 miles)
• Ojibway Park (6.2 miles)

Theaters

• AMC Inver Grove 16 (2.4 miles)

Transportation

• Union Depot (3.2 miles)
• Concourse A (6.4 miles)
• Concourse C (6.7 miles)
• Delta Sky Club (6.7 miles)
• Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) (6.8 miles)
• Concourse D (6.9 miles)
• Terminal 1-Lindbergh (6.9 miles)

Hospitals

• United Hospital Joint Relacement Center (3.3 miles)
• St Joseph's Hospital-St Paul (3.5 miles)
• Regions Hospital Burn Center (3.9 miles)
• Woodwinds Health Campus-Woodbury (4.9 miles)
• VA Medical Center (6.5 miles)

Places of Worship

• Cathedral of St Paul (3.6 miles)
• St George Greek Orthodox Church (4.6 miles)
• WW Studio (4.8 miles)
• Five Oaks Community Church (6.3 miles)
• Transfiguration Catholic Church (6.4 miles)
• St Jerome Elementary School (6.6 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (4.4 miles)
• Groundswell (5.7 miles)
• Panera Bread (6.2 miles)
• Starbucks (6.7 miles)